BREWERS READY FOR BOXING DAY CLASH AT VILLA PARK

21 December 2016

Nigel Powlson

DESPITE coming off the back of three defeats in a row, the quality of the performances means that Albion face Aston Villa on Boxing Day in good spirits.

Brewers boss Nigel Clough said: “It’s another mismatch when you look at the size of the clubs, as it was against Newcastle but that was arguablly our best performance of the season when you take into account the opposition. There was £100 million of transfer fees in their squad and we matched them and bettered them for long periods.

“What surprised us that we had 55 per cent possession. It’s been hinted at that we play a few long balls but that doesn’t marry with having the majority of possession. If you play long balls you lose the ball.

"We played it around, created situations and it was just two small mistakes we were punished for and we are still fuming over a blatant penalty we were denied in the 94th minute. To have had one penalty in 22 games is on the low side as well.”

Clough says his team don’t need lifting for the Villa game.

He said: “If you don’t want to play at Villa Park in front of 40,000 people you shouldn’t be playing football. It’s a nice play to play football for everybody.

“I don’ think we can keep playing on the road as well as we have been doing and not pick up something – I hope or luck changes on Boxing Day. “